June 17, 2012

Gaiter Liners for old style gaiter

The elemental problem with the old gaiters was the hard line on the top edge of the upper creating rubs on tender under-fetlock area of the horse.  But the old gaiters were built to wear.  The velcro made a wide secure attachment point and the boots stayed on.  The new design of the gaiter pretty well eliminated the problem of rubs (at least nothing a simple wrap of vet-wrap wouldn't cure), but for what ever reason sacrificed that really "good" velcro.   Below is the velcro from a boot with a half dozen rides maximum on it:
The rest of the gaiter is in useable condition, but the velcro quickly begins to fray and sometimes falls off like the stitching hasn't locked by being back-stitched ...I dunno.  But I do know I can't afford to purchase gaiters every month to keep the speckled pony hoof protected.  I'm very satisfied with my gloves except for this one little, but very important thing, that the velcro is what secures the boot to the pastern area and helps keep the boot from pulling off from torque, or in our case, frequent muddy trail conditions.  So I have set out to attempt to solve my problem one way or the other to keep the spotted wonder booted.

Experiment #1 involves an inner liner for the old style (quality stitched, and superior velcro) gaiter.  However I do not want to sacrifice one thing for another (rubs and chafing).  So we will attempt an inner liner that rides inside the gaiter.  I have some doubts about this staying in place, but there may be ways to get it stuck...haven't thought that far ahead yet.  No guarantee it won't bunch up, fall out, or create its own rubbing problem.  We shall see.

Here is the proto-type for the gaiter liner:
It is made from a "Sham Wow" material.  This stuff is absorbent and very soft to the touch wet or dry.

I'll insert it into the back of the boot leaving a little fabric collar around the top profile.

 The small notches allow the fabric to curve around without creasing.
The liner overlaps itself in the front to create a cushion under the velcro attachment point which can also be a source for rubs.  Look at that nice wide velcro triple stitched to STAY ON.   

I also cut some that slip over the straps and do not extend down into the boot, rather just under the straps.  The material I'm using machine washes so I could cut a box of them and always have clean liners on hand.

If this doesn't work....I'm moving on to vet wrap. 

If vet wrap doesn't work----I'm buying a heavy duty sewing machine so I can at least make repairs myself.

Or

*gasp*

trying another type boot.

I hate to change boots when the problem "seems" so fixable.

~E.G.



1 comment:

  1. BEST thing for liners - pick up one of these:
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-Waist-Trimmer-Belt/12167842

    Cut the sewn edges off, and then cut it into strips length-wise. You should be able to get 3 strips or so depending on how wide you want your liners. Then wrap around the leg to measure for length, and trim. One belt should be enough for 6-8 "cuffs". Hold them on with some hook-side velcro (I buy mine in the sewing area). The gray portion of the belt is like a loop material and the velcro will stick, along with the boot gaiter itself helping to keep it in place.

    This is/was the most common and effective way to prevent rubs with the old style gaiters. Hope it works for you! Cheap too! :)

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